Some notes on Spurs under 18’s 6-1 win over Southampton: 

Our under 18’s welcomed Southampton to Hotspur Way on Saturday morning for a league game (it was impossible to take notes in today’s weather). Matt Taylor’s Spurs side put in a very good dominant performance against the ‘ Saints ’ in difficult conditions to record an impressive 6-1 win. Spurs played some really good attacking football right from the offing on Saturday against a Southampton side who were struggling a little bit for form. It was an action packed game which even saw the players being brought off the pitch owing to a hailstorm storm during the second half. The scorers for Spurs on the day were J’Neil Bennett, Yago Santiago, Kion Etete x2, Nile John and Chay Cooper. Spurs lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation as Kacper Kurylowicz started in goal. A back four consisting of Dermi Lusala, Marqes Muir, Aaron Skinner and schoolboy Jordan Hackett lined up in front of him. Meanwhile Nile John and Matthew Craig anchored the midfield while Romaine Mundle and J’Neil Bennett operated out on the flanks either side of CAM Yago Santiago. Captain and centre forward Kion Etete led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway on a bitterly cold morning in Enfield. Spurs goalkeeper Kacper Kurylowicz had to make an important early save to tip over Jack Turner’s powerful header after he latched onto Mario Rus’ corner kick.

On 16 minutes and after knocking the ball around the park well Spurs took the lead through J’Neil Bennett. After Matthew Craig passed the ball to Bennett the fast winger darted forward through the middle of the park before then doing a couple of step overs and rifling the ball into left corner of Oliver Wright’s goal from over 25 yards out, 1-0. Around seven minutes later Spurs doubled their lead through Yago Santiago. After latching onto Oliver Wright’s pass Santiago showed his composure on the edge of the Southampton box before curling the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the goal, 2-0. Spurs continued to dominate the game, Nile John fired an effort wide from distance before J’Neil Bennett, Romaine Mundle and Matthew Craig all shot wide narrowly wide of the Southampton goal in quick succession. The ‘ Saints ’ has a brilliant opportunity to pull a goal back after Jack Turner was slipped through on goal down the right by Mario Rus. Turner advanced into the Spurs box where he was met by Kurylowicz who did really well to save his resulting shot. Spurs found a third goal shortly before the break after Matthew Craig slipped through Nile John down the left side of the Southampton box and he crossed the ball for Kion Etete who volleyed the ball past Wright from close range, 3-0. Southampton got the game back underway. 

After receiving Matthew Craig’s pass Nile John picked the ball up some 25 yards out from the Southampton goal before rifling the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, 4-0. Then a bad hailstorm brought the game to a halt for 13 minutes as the referee brought the players off the pitch. After the game was restarted Southampton managed to pull a goal back. After Marco Rus passed the ball to Belgian Lucas Defise he fired the ball past Kurylowicz and into the top right hand corner of the goal from the edge of the Spurs box. Spurs tried to respond and after receiving Nile John’s pass, Rafferty Pedder forced Wright into action before Etete fired the ball over the crossbar. After latching onto Romaine Mundle’s low cross from the right flank Etete was pushed to the floor from behind by Caleb Watts resulting in the referee pointing to the spot. Chay Cooper who had only recently replaced the injured J’Neil Bennett stood up before slotting the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. After going on a good and skilful surging run Cooper had a fine effort on goal saved by Wright before Etete tapped home Chay Cooper’s low cross a couple of minutes later to net goal number six of the game for Spurs. The referee sounded his whistle for full time a couple of minutes later to bring a dominant Spurs performance to an end.

Player reviews:

• Kacper Kurylowicz: The Tottenham goalkeeper made two crucial saves during the early parts of the first half. Kurylowicz also dealt really well with crosses and set pieces and he was very vocal throughout the match.
• Dermi Lusala: Defensively solid, Lusala rarely allowed Southampton winger Kazeem Olaigbe to enjoy much luck down his side of the pitch.
• Marqes Muir: It was another solid performance from the RCB who defended well at all times. Muir was also good in the air.
• Aaron Skinner: The LCB defended tightly and he asserted himself well on the game. Furthermore, Skinner was also good at bringing the ball out from the back.
• Jordan Hackett: The schoolboy who operated at left back went on some good attacking forward runs and he also got back to defend well. 
• Matthew Craig: The CDM won a lot of challenges in the middle of the park and he used the ball intelligently. Craig was involved in two of our goals  today.
• Nile John: The CM had a very good game today as he chipped in with a goal and an assist. John patrolled the midfield well and his work rate was second to none. John was good on the ball and he used it well.
• Romaine Mundle: The right winger rarely lost the ball and he went on some good forward runs.
• Yago Santiago: The 16 year old Spanish attacking midfielder had arguably his best competitive game for under 18’s on Saturday. Santiago linked the play well, showed good skill and composure and he took his first half goal well. 
• J’Neil Bennett: The fast left winger went on some excellent surging runs down the left flank and he took his first half goal really well. Bennett also tracked back well after himself.
• Kion Etete: My man of the match, see below.
• Chay Cooper: The second half substitute returned from injury to make an instant impact for Matt Taylor’s side. Cooper used the ball really well and he looked very sharp. Showing great skill on occasions, Cooper chipped in with a goal and an assist.
• Rafferty Pedder: The CAM came off the bench to make a good impression against Southampton. Pedder was nice and tricky, and he was involved in the build up play to Kion Etete’s second goal of the game.
• Max Robson: The late substitute linked up well with striker Kion Etete and he also pressed well during his short time on the pitch.

My man of the match: Kion Etete. A relentless presser who worked really hard for Spurs all game despite things not always coming off for him. Striker Kion Etete battled for the ball well and he also took both of his goals with good confidence. Etete’s off the ball movement was good and he did well to also win a penalty during the second half.

Spurs: Kurylowicz, Lusala, Hackett, Matthew Craig, Skinner, Muir, Mundle, John (Robson 76), Etete (c), Santiago (Pedder 64), Bennett (Cooper 59). Substitute (not used): Lo-Tutala.

Spurs under 18’s statistics 2019/20:

Goals: 

Kion Etete –  8

Tarrelle Whittaker – 7

J’Neil Bennett – 7

Max Robson – 5

Chay Cooper – 5

Enock Asante – 3

Harvey White – 3

Kallum Cesay – 2

Rafferty Pedder – 2

Troy Parrott – 2

Dennis Cirkin – 2

Nile John – 2

Dane Scarlett – 1

Romaine Mundle – 1

Yago Santiago – 1

Assists:

Max Robson – 6

Chay Cooper – 6

J’Neil Bennett – 5

Kion Etete – 4

Tarrelle Whittaker – 3

Dermi Lusala –  3

Romaine Mundle – 3

Troy Parrott – 2

Rafferty Pedder – 2

Dennis Cirkin – 2

Harvey White – 2

Enock Asante – 2

Eddie Carrington – 2

Matthew Craig – 2

Luis Binks – 1

Michael Craig – 1

Kallum Cesay – 1

Marqes Muir –  1

Yago Santiago – 1

Jordan Hackett – 1

Aaron Skinner – 1

Nile John – 1

Clean sheets: 

Kacper Kurylowicz – 4

Josh Oluwayemi – 1